Lawrence Resident Sentenced for Attempted Second Degree Murder

03/02/2010
CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today the Honorable Robert W. Fairchild sentenced Lawrence resident James M. McAdams, Jr., 19, in a 2009 case to 102 months for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Level 3/Person/Felony) and to 18 months for Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness or Victim (Level 6/Person/Felony). The counts will run concurrently. Judge Fairchild also revoked McAdams probation in a 2008 case and ordered him to serve his original 12 month sentence for Burglary of a Motor Vehicle (Level 9/Non-Person/Felony). The 2009 case will run consecutive to the 2008 case and his grand total of 114 months will be served in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. Investigation into the 2009 case began on June 19 when officers were dispatched to the 2400 block of Ridge Court following the report of multiple gun shots being fired in the area. Officers made contact with the victim who stated McAdams had been a guest inside his apartment, but McAdams then wanted to fight about something that occurred previously with other individuals. The victim did not want to fight inside his apartment so they moved outside. Once outside McAdams pulled a gun out of his waistband and demanded the victim empty his pockets and the victim was then hit in the head. Fearing for his life, the victim dashed down a flight of stairs and ran from the area. McAdams fired multiple shots at the running victim. The second charge occurred while McAdams was in jail and he used others to communicate threats of physical violence toward a key witness for cooperating with the prosecution. District Attorney Branson advised, "The actions of Mr. McAdams were rapidly escalating in their level of violence and I am relieved he is no longer a threat to our community." McAdams plead no contest to the charges in the 2009 case on February 1, 2010 and plead no contest to the 2008 case on January 30, 2009. Both cases were investigated by the Lawrence Police Department and the cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Mike Allen and Eve Kemple. -30-

Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com